West Devon Borough Council is taking the next step towards its long-term vision for the future of Okehampton as it develops proposals to expand health services, improve public transport, provide additional employment opportunities and educational facilities in the town. With the future housing needs of the town high on the public agenda, the council is adamant that the correct infrastructure must be in place to meet the needs of all residents over the next 15 to 20 years. The council is also keen to clarify how many homes are likely to be needed for Okehampton. Currently, there is a site in the town earmarked for around 500 homes — allocated in the 2005 local plan — for which planning permission has not yet been granted. The council considers that a further 900 houses are likely to be needed in the town by 2026. The council has been consulting with the public and its partners about this housing option and where they could be built. Road shows were held in February and March this year to give the public their say on the issue. No firm decision has yet been made on where the 900 homes could be built. Possible sites for where these homes should be built have been suggested to the council who are now considering the ideas as part of the core strategy, which details how future planning will be managed in the area. Cllr Diana Moyse, chairman of the council's future planning and housing committee, said: 'The council must now carefully consider which option is best for the town in meeting its community's needs over the next two decades. 'We understand the concerns of people who take issue with some details of the strategy, including the housing need, but we want to make it clear that this is a long-term plan and any major development will be phased over the next 15 to 20 years. ' With extensive and detailed work currently being carried out with the council's partners on the infrastructure needs of the town, the next draft of the core strategy, due to have come out this month, will be published early next year instead. Following new government regulations on council's core strategies, the new publication date is not expected to significantly delay the timeframe of the process. The final strategy is expected to go before a planning inspector at a public examination due to be held later next year. For further information about the core strategy, contact the council's strategic planning team on 01822 813600, email strategicplanning@west devon.gov.uk or visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/">www.westdevon.gov.uk/ corestrategyoptions
